Chapter 126: Obscuring Disaster, Burning the Imperial Envoy

The central tax inspector and provincial governor met with misfortune; this news stirred the hearts of countless people.

Imperial Censorate officials!

A second-rank official!

How could they dare? Who is so utterly mad?

Anyone in Beijing with even modest status or power immediately sent out messengers to investigate and learn exactly what had happened.

Only then did news emerge from the Ministry of War and the Wu Tongzheng Office—that Linxiang County had been attacked by mine bandits!

So-called mine bandits were outlaws who gathered in the countryside and illegally operated mines.

According to the post-incident investigation by the Huguang Provincial Governor and Surveillance Commissioner, this gang of mine thieves originated from Luonan County in Shaanxi during the third year of Emperor Longqing.

At that time, the bandit leader He Shu and seven others were beheaded; the remaining nineteen accomplices, including Shi Shi Chaofeng, were exiled.

Since then, these exiled bandits—Shi Shi Chaofeng and others—somehow escaped and returned, and now they have reappeared in Huguang.

In short, this was merely another seemingly ordinary bandit attack—mine bandits running rampant in the Great Ming was far too common.

After regrouping, this gang of mine bandits rallied over a thousand men and ran rampant across Huguang with utter audacity.

At the end of March, they dared to break into Linxiang County under cover of night, plunder government offices and treasuries, and set fire to the county Prefectural Yamen!

Tragically, during the night, the Censor of the Criminal Department, Zhang Chucheng, and the Right Provincial Administration Commissioner of Huguang, Tang Bin, were staying at the Prefectural Yamen to hear cases—and were trapped inside by the flames.

This mine bandit arson case shook Huguang, burning the entire provincial bureaucracy to the core.

All Huguang officials—the Provincial Administration Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners, Surveillance Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioners—personally rushed to Linxiang County to handle the scene.

Qiao Qiao Qiao Qiao, Garrison Commander of Dongting, and Chen Xiao, Commandant of the River Patrol, panicked and pursued the bandits all night, fighting fiercely until they captured and killed Shi Shi Chaofeng and others, hoping to redeem themselves.

Zhao Prince Xian, Right Assistant Censor and Provincial Governor of Huguang, and Shu Ao, Huguang Surveillance Commissioner, jointly submitted a memorial detailing the events and requested punishment for their own failures.

This happened at the end of last month; the memorial has only just reached Beijing.

The general outline is as above, but finer details cannot be known yet.

Yet, as the saying goes, one can discern the whole from a small sign, glimpse the leopard through a tube.

Even with only a rough understanding, court ministers realized this was another colossal case!

Bandits burning down a county Prefectural Yamen?

As a surface-level excuse, it might pass muster—but to deceive the central government? That's the delusion of a fool!

Especially since Hai Rui was summoned to the palace overnight, along with Wen Chun, the former Right Assistant Commissioner of Huguang, clearly revealing the Emperor's stance.

The affairs in Nanzhili had just settled; court ministers did not wish for new turmoil—yet this had happened.

Who is so bold?

Do they not know how ruthless His Majesty is?

If this is uncovered, the consequences are too horrific to imagine!

Tonight in Beijing, countless people will be unable to sleep.

…

April 16.

Today's court session had an unusually strange atmosphere.

The imperial seat was empty; Hai Rui and Wen Chun did not attend, fueling speculation—had the Emperor regained his composure, or was he merely swallowing his anger?

Zhang Zhang Siwei glanced up at the three Grand Secretaries standing before him.

The Chief Zhang Gelao, Zhang Zhang Juzheng, wore a blank expression, eyes closed, resting.

The Vice Zhang Gelao, Gao Yi, looked grave, lost in thought.

The Junior Zhang Gelao, Lu Lu Diaoyang, kept his head bowed, face hidden.

Behind Zhang Zhang Siwei, his colleagues exchanged glances or whispered quietly.

After a while longer…

The court ministers gradually arrived, and Zhang Zhang Juzheng finally began: "Let the court session commence."

Without a word, all ministers remained silent in unison—the hall fell into a sudden hush.

Silence is always brief; someone must speak.

Minister of Works Zhu Heng understood the odd atmosphere but pretended ignorance.

He stepped forward and spoke bluntly: "Yesterday, Wang Wang Zongmu's memorial on resuming maritime transport arrived."

"Sixteen ships carried twenty thousand shi of timber and stone; one struck a reef, the other fifteen completed the round trip successfully."

"Director Wang urges another trial of maritime transport, with improved routes to avoid reefs."

"The Ministry of Works fully supports this proposal."

"Moreover, the Ministry believes that since the maritime route is newly opened, coastal patrols have been established at Two Huai'an and elsewhere to guard against threats along the Shandong coast—over two thousand li—but our forces may be insufficient; we propose adding patrol ships in Shandong."

Zhu Heng had no desire to get entangled in the turbulent winds of reform; he simply wished to do his own job well.

Managing the Yellow River and opening maritime transport were his only two obsessions.

This was the second attempt at maritime transport; hitting reefs was inevitable—only gradual route optimization could help.

Naturally, opposition arising from the reef incident was also inevitable.

As expected, Jia Jia Sanjin, Chief Censor of the Ministry of Revenue, stepped forward to challenge: "Minister Zhu."

"Maritime transport was proposed only because the canal route was blocked."

"But since you took charge of the Ministry of Works, you have opened new channels, stabilized the Yellow River, and dredged the canal—now the canal flows freely again. Why insist on maritime transport?"

"The nature of the maritime route differs from that of the canal; the canal is reliably constant, while the maritime route is only temporarily viable."

"Storms, pirates, hidden reefs, rocks—even if you get lucky a few times, you will eventually encounter disaster. Isn't this recent reef collision clear proof?"

"Since canal transport has been thoroughly reformed and vastly improved from the past, why reopen maritime transport? One may use ginseng, licorice, ginger, and cinnamon to sustain health—why risk poison like aconite for a slim chance?"

"I propose we abolish maritime transport!"

Though opposing, his tone remained extremely courteous.

Zhu Heng was now universally acknowledged as the foremost expert on Yellow River management; all ministers held him in high esteem.

Hearing this argument, Zhu Heng did not argue further, only replied: "The Ministry of Works's position remains unchanged; we will submit our memorial to the Grand Secretariat and His Majesty shortly."

He knew well that maritime transport had the backing of the Ministry of Works, the Canal Administration, the Grand Secretariat, and the Emperor—no further explanation to outsiders was needed.

Lu Lu Diaoyang stepped forward to support: "I concur with the Ministry of Works. I propose to the Emperor that we reward the restoration of maritime transport by promoting Provincial Governor Liang Liang Menglong and Wang Wang Zongmu each by one rank, granting thirty taels of silver and two bolts of satin; Assistant Commissioner Pan Yunrui promoted one rank, ten taels of silver; and the transport officers shall receive special promotions and rewards."

Seeing the Grand Secretariat had already spoken and fixed the rewards, Jia Jia Sanjin realized he had stumbled upon a closed-door meeting with a pre-decided outcome, and sullenly returned to his place.

Once this matter was settled, silence fell again.

Seeing this, Minister of Rituals Tu Tu Yixing observed the mood and stepped forward to take the lead: "Yesterday, we reached an agreement with the Duoyan Guard emissaries: we renewed our customary favors to the chieftain Chang Ang. But… in my view, the close associates of Dong Dong Huli seem dissatisfied."

No sooner had he spoken than Wang Wang Chonggu, who had also listened in yesterday, interjected: "In my opinion, Dong Dong Huli may launch another border raid. The Ministry of War has proposed ordering Qi Qi Jiguang to strengthen defenses."

Gao Yi turned his head and nodded: "This morning, the Grand Secretariat has already drafted the imperial decree; it will be sent to the Ministry of War shortly, instructing Qi Qi Jiguang to guard against Dong Dong Huli, and to dispatch additional recruited troops and guest officers to Jieling and Taolin Passes."

The Ministry of War had designated several passes, but Gao Yi emphasized only Jieling and Taolin— he did not know why the Emperor, in a strangely thoughtful mood, insisted on reinforcing these two locations.

Wang Wang Chonggu was surprised at the Grand Secretariat's swift response—they had already drafted the decree, meaning they had already discussed it with the Emperor.

He silently returned to his place.

Then another minister rose to impeach Li Li Yingchen, the Marquis of Xiangcheng.

After Li Li Yingchen's family broke the law, constables came to investigate.

He openly shouted, "The law? I am the law!" and arrested the constables, imprisoning and torturing them for days.

Even after the constables were released days ago, they still appeared dazed—clearly, Li Li Yingchen had no regard for the law, and was arrogant and tyrannical beyond measure.

The Three Judicial Departments all demanded justice for their officers, calling for severe punishment of this lawless noble.

The Censorate officials followed suit, dragging in Mu Mu Chaobi, the Prince of Qian, and Zhao Zhao Zuzheng, the Marquis of Xincheng, for joint impeachment.

Public outrage surged.

Only when Zhang Zhang Juzheng intervened, promising to deliver the memorials to the Emperor and to counsel him gently, did the ministers finally quiet down.

Next, they discussed the selection of a Vice Minister of War to oversee the capital garrisons.

In the end, the Grand Secretariat decided to recommend two or three candidates for the Emperor's selection.

Then came matters of tribute to the Jurchen tribes and the reduction or release of death-row prisoners by the Ministry of Justice.

Today's court session felt dry; the expected debates never erupted.

Everyone knew a grand drama was coming—they were merely waiting to watch, and had no real interest in the proceedings.

When the matters were mostly concluded, as was customary, ministers should have returned to their departments.

Yet, as if by unspoken agreement…

Ministers from the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Rituals, and the Censorate departed—but the Grand Secretaries remained standing in place.

Only after all others had left did Zhang Zhang Juzheng compose himself, look around, and speak: "His Majesty awaits us in Gu Chengguang Hall."

Saying this, he tucked his ceremonial tablet into his sleeve and walked straight out of the Zhao Wenhua Hall.

The others followed closely behind.

…

This was Zhang Zhang Siwei's first time entering the Western Garden.

Now temporarily acting for Yang Bo in managing Grand Secretariat affairs, his rank stood just below the three Grand Secretaries—his experience was entirely different.

Especially being specially summoned to the Western Garden, not left behind, gave him a feeling unlike any before.

This was the sensation of having one foot already inside the Grand Secretariat!

On the way to Gu Chengguang Hall, perhaps due to the heavy mood, no one spoke.

Zhang Zhang Siwei understood this was because the Huguang affair was too grave for anyone to treat lightly.

In truth, based on his understanding of the Emperor, he had expected the Emperor to erupt in fury during today's court session and appoint Hai Rui to investigate.

But the result was that several senior ministers came to the Western Garden to discuss this matter.

It seems even the Emperor finds this difficult.

There's no help for it—this is the drawback of a vast realm; when trouble strikes, you can't reach it in time.

Even if the Emperor threw a tantrum and wanted to vent his rage, he couldn't—no one knew who was behind it.

This is a place as solid as iron, where water cannot seep in and a needle cannot pierce through.

As he pondered how the Emperor might respond, Zhang Zhang Siwei looked up and realized he had reached the entrance of Gu Chengguang Palace.

He gathered his thoughts slightly and followed Lu Lu Diaoyang inside.

As soon as he entered the hall, he saw several desks clustered in the center.

The desks were piled with memorials, drafts, and other documents.

Beside them stood a screen, upon which names seemed to be listed.

Zhang Zhang Siwei cast a second glance: Right Provincial Administration Commissioner Chen Rui… Hunan-Hubei Surveillance Commissioner Du Si… Dongting Garrison Commander Qiao Qiao Qiao Qiao… River Patrol Commander Chen Xiao.

All of them were officials from Hunan-Hubei!

He lowered his gaze and looked toward the Emperor, who stood before the desk alongside Zhang Zhang Juzheng, and bowed: "Your Majesty."

Zhu Zhu Yijun signaled for everyone to rise, then waved his hand, indicating Wu Wu Jinghe, the Prince Consort in charge of the Imperial Clan Office, to withdraw.

Wu Wu Jinghe bowed and took his leave.

Zhang Zhang Siwei glanced at this Prince Consort overseeing the Imperial Clan Office; his mind raced, and he faintly grasped a thread of logic.

At that moment, the Emperor spoke slowly: "Zhang Gelao, I never imagined your hometown's people were so fierce and unruly."

"I merely wished to get a sense of the situation—I did nothing at all—and yet they openly rebelled!?"

The astonishment and fury in his voice as he uttered those final two words were truly palpable.

A high-ranking imperial envoy, and a provincial governor—both openly burned alive in their own offices!?!

This was something Zhu Zhu Yijun simply could not comprehend—were they not afraid of death? Investigating a case requires evidence; suppressing rebellion requires only coordinates.

Even rotating officials wouldn't dare do this?

In past lives, officials who fell from buildings, dropped dead suddenly, or died of illness after thirty-seven days on duty—all were understandable, at least attributable to accident.

But openly leading troops to attack the county Prefectural Yamen, locking someone inside and burning them alive—what's the difference from outright rebellion!?

This is truly trampling my imperial dignity into the dirt!

Zhang Zhang Juzheng bypassed the mention of hometown entirely and addressed the matter directly: "Your Majesty, the urgent priority is to uncover the cause and apprehend the ringleaders."

This time, he did not correct the Emperor's wording—or perhaps he too believed this amounted to rebellion.

Allowing bandits to kill officials! It is utterly shocking!

Not just the Emperor—anyone in the central government with power could not tolerate such defiance!

Zhu Zhu Yijun sneered: "The bandit leader Shi Shi Chaofeng resisted to the last and was executed on the spot—truly a minister who shares the Emperor's burdens!"

Whether this was murder to silence or genuine last resistance, the central government was too far away to say for certain.

Zhang Zhang Juzheng bowed again and declared loudly: "Your Majesty! Then arrest Dongting Garrison Commander Qiao Qiao Qiao Qiao and River Patrol Commander Chen Xiao and bring them to the capital for interrogation!"

At this point, anyone still talking about evidence was a scholar who had read too much.

Zhu Zhu Yijun swept his sleeve aside and said coldly: "Investigate on the spot! If this matter is not fully uncovered, I have no face left to sit upon this throne!"

This matter would not be conceded.

No matter who lay behind it—no matter how high-ranking the official, how noble the title or bloodline—this time none would escape with dignity; he would make heads roll.

The dignity of a water heater causing fire? Save it for your next life!

At this moment, Gao Yi interjected: "Your Majesty, may I boldly ask: what did Zhang Chucheng uncover in Hunan-Hubei?"

Only a place of critical importance would warrant such brutality.

If, as previously claimed, he had merely gone to assess mineral taxes, they would not have descended into such madness.

Thus, the content he uncovered is also a vital clue.

Zhu Zhu Yijun composed himself and pointed to a desk: "Those documents on the desk are the memorials submitted by Vice Censor Zhang after his mission to Hunan-Hubei. Your Excellencies may read them yourselves."

"At first, he was ordered by me to oversee Provincial Administration Commissioner Tang Bin and rectify the mineral taxes in his jurisdiction."

"Later, he discovered collusion between local officials and gentry, directing bandits to illegally mine mines."

Hunan-Hubei's territory roughly encompassed modern-day Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi, Hainan, and most of Guizhou.

Its mineral resources were naturally abundant—for instance, Tongcheng Prefecture had Xishan Mountain to the south, historically producing silver and tin.

Likewise, Cao Daye State had Tieshan Mountain to the north, Baizhi Mountain producing copper, Weilushan to the east producing iron, and Tonglü Mountain in the southwest, historically producing copper.

As for the bandits, there was no need to elaborate.

If the central government wished to mine, it either damaged the dragon veins or failed to recoup costs—Emperor Shizong spent thirty thousand taels and extracted only twenty-eight thousand five hundred, a failure long branded on the pillar of shame.

Yet private mining drew crowds, no one understood why anyone would willingly engage in such a losing venture.

In truth, such matters were not fatal; they could never justify "resistance to the last."

The worst outcome was merely forcing them to return the stolen profits, executing the bandits, and ending it—all had been done this way before.

Even, the bandits might pay taxes and transform into official mines.

Thus, when Zhang Chucheng was sent to investigate, he never anticipated such fierce resistance.

So one must not investigate everything—slight carelessness and you truly uncover something.

Several ministers had already approached the desk and were reviewing Zhang Chucheng's submitted memorials.

Zhu Zhu Yijun suppressed his emotions and continued: "Up to this point, it was tolerable."

"I ordered Zhang Chucheng to return to the capital in February, intending to address it gradually."

Zhu Zhu Yijun's gaze grew deep, his tone strange: "But on his way back, he changed his mind and submitted another memorial, requesting two more months to investigate, saying…"

"He had discovered traces of illegal copper coinage and arms production!"

Note 1: On the Dingwei day of the twelfth month of the third year of Emperor Longqing, previously, the bandits led by He Shu from Luonan County, Shaanxi, gathered over three thousand men and stole eighteen caves at Baihua Ridge. Despite prolonged pursuit, they were not captured. Now they were apprehended. According to the case filed by Wu Jin, Pacification Commissioner of Yunyang, the ringleaders He Shu and seven others were sentenced to death; their accomplices Shi Shi Chaofeng and nineteen others, Liu En and twenty-four others, were exiled to varying degrees; the rest were pardoned—《Veritable Records of the Ming Mu Zong 》

Note 2: The Ministry of War replied to the memorial of Hunan-Hubei Provincial Governor Zhao Prince Xian: Linxiang County was raided; officials were robbed, the treasury looted, and county records burned. Recommend arresting Dongting Garrison Commander Qiao Qiao Qiao Qiao and River Patrol Commander Chen Xiao for interrogation by the Censorate—《Veritable Records of the Ming Shen Zong 》





(End of Chapter)